I'm back!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful 2010 so far.  If its going anything like mine, the new years resolutions have already faded away and you find yourself thinking "How is it already May?" (give or take a few days :)

I am taking new paint orders, and have already gotten a few lined up.  I'm not trying to "over do it" this year with my little side hobby here, but I do realize that once I start painting, I enjoy it!  Sometimes I have a tough time giving up my evenings catching up on my Tori and Dean DVR's, but overall, I love it.  I love the satisfaction a finished piece gives me!  I am painting a few orders with my friend Carrie over at The Letter Boutique for a few weeks.  She just had her site revamped, so you should check it out!

Zack and I are doing well.  We realized not to long ago that this July will be our 5 year houseiversary.  Hard to believe that it's 5 years old already!  No big vacations for us this year.  Which is not that big of a deal since Zack's parents have a place at Emerald Isle.  Our calendars are full with 3 weddings that we are in this year (and the parties and showers that go along with that) and our little girl, Sami Sue has to have surgery.  She's just like me, and tore her ACL.  We're hoping for a miracle in the next few weeks- but if not- it will be surgery time.  Fun.  Double fun for the 8 weeks of crate confinement that follows that.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope to add a few new pics in the coming week.  See you soon!

Our Kitchen Update

:::  I am participating in Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After party  :::

I have always loved the look of a tiled backsplash.  We do not live in a "granite counter top neighborhood" and since this is our "starter" home, we aren't trying to sink a lot of money into it.  We do however want to make it OURS.  Comfy, modern, but cozy.  You know, add a little here and there to give our home character.

My mom and dad recently did their kitchen backsplash and offered to do ours as a Christmas present!  (No, they won't adopt you, they're all mine :), well, and my sister's too!)  We decided to do our New Year's weekend, since we had an extra day to rest.

We, cough cough, THEY, started Saturday morning bright and early, and all was finished by Sunday around lunch!  I love subway tile.  Simple lines, clean, timeless.  We didn't want any fancy decoration tiles, crazy designs, etc.  We wanted something that we loved, but that when we decide to sell this house, the next owner would be able to incorporated into their style. 

Of course with me, its never just one project!  I also decided to paint the back kitchen wall, get a new clock, canisters, a window treatment, new light over the sink, and well now we are working on new barstools.  I could only paint one wall in the kitchen due to the layout of our house.  Basically the other walls also belong to other rooms.  (Open floor plan)

Ok, enough talk.  I'll let the pictures do the talking now.

Before.  Complete with some Christmas decoration :)  Click any picture to enlarge

Before... the other side.

Later that night... 

And the other side...

And with grout!

After!  With the paint and new cornice board over the window!

And now my new clock and light:)

Hope you like my "new" kitchen, and hope it inspires you! 

I still don't cook- however it is a beautiful room to walk into!

Winter Break!

I will be taking a break from ByPami in January, February and March.  This will allow be to make a few blog updates and get ready for spring!  I'll still be painting though- no worries there!  I'm hoping to get a few items done for some family and friends Christmas presents!  (I know- it sounds insane!)  I'll also be spending some time with my little Sami.  She is having back issues with her back, so please say a few puppy prayers for her!  Check back for ByPami updates over the next few months!

Nora's Memory Chest

Nora's mom contacted me and was interested in a small toy chest, mainly to keep Nora's childhood keepsakes in.  She wanted something timeless, but still unique for her daughter.  This was going to be a special Christmas gift from Nora's grandparents.  I hope Nora loved it and will really appriciate it as she gets older.

Established...

Established signs are one of my favorite things to create.  They can really be personalized to the person recieveing them and make a great addition to a family room or patio.  They would be great for Christmas, or anniversaries and weddings and showers!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

First, I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  I know we did.  And second...  I want to thank everyone for their orders during 2009.  It was a very busy but successful year, and it leaves me only imagining what 2010 has in store.  One goal I have for 2010 is to paint something for my family members early on, so I don't have to stress for when it comes time for presents at Christmas next year.  I would love to do an Established sign for several family members, so maybe I can get to work on those sooner, rather than later.  We were given many incredible gifts this year, one of which being a new tiled back splash for our kitchen.  We are actually working on that this weekend, so I'll be sure to post before and after pics.  I can't wait!  So here's to a very Happy New Year and nothing but the best in 2010!

Intro: New Style of Hair Bow Holders!

Introducing a new style of hair bow holders!  These can be any size you wish!  I am lucky enough to have a very talented mother who can sew- so this is def. a joint venture with her (like most of my projects!).  The back is a canvas-like material, and each row is made of coordinating ribbon.  There is a rod at the top to keep it hanging straight, then finished off at the top with a bow! Then I paint the letters and ta-da- its ready!  This is also perfect to use with headbands, since you can lay them over the ribbon.